Job Discussion Forums

[reddevil79]

Has anyone ever done this in Mexico? An organisation has approached to me to do some interpreting, but I'm not sure how much to charge or what the going rate is. I'd know what to charge for translations, but not too sure about interpreting.

[notamiss]

You could visit a translator/interpreter website to check the going rates: http://www.proz.com. From the menu near the top, choose "Directory" > "Interpreter search", generate a list of interpreters in Mexico, and visit the profile pages of some of them to see what rate information they may have posted.

[Milenka]

Depends on the type of interpretation (consecutive, liaison, simultaneous, escort/whispering), but the going rate is 2,500-3,000 pesos netos (i.e., after taxes and retenciones fiscales) per 8-hour day, additional 500-600 per extra hour. Clients know that the clock starts ticking as soon as the event starts, regardless of whether you're required to interpret from the very first uttered word or not. I am assuming you're a professional interpreter and already know the techniques and rules of thumb for each type of interpretation. BTW, in Mexico (as pretty much all over the American continent), interpreters are expected to work bidirectionally and not only into their native language.